Cords to Board Feet Converter
Enter the lumber volume in cords below to convert it to board feet.
Convert Cords to Board Feet
Enter a value in cords (cord) to convert to board feet (FBM).
Cord to Board Foot Conversion Table
Table showing various cord measurements converted to board feet. Click any preset value or arrow to load it into the converter.
| Cords (cord) | Board Feet (FBM) |
|---|---|
| 1 cord | 1,536 FBM |
| 2 cord | 3,072 FBM |
| 2.5 cord | 3,840 FBM |
| 5 cord | 7,680 FBM |
| 10 cord | 15,360 FBM |
| 15 cord | 23,040 FBM |
| 20 cord | 30,720 FBM |
| 25 cord | 38,400 FBM |
| 30 cord | 46,080 FBM |
| 50 cord | 76,800 FBM |
How to Convert Cords to Board Feet
To convert cords to board feet, multiply the lumber volume by the following conversion ratio: 1,536 board feet/cord.
Since one cord is equal to 1,536 board feet, you can use this simple formula to convert:
The lumber volume in board feet is equal to the lumber volume in cords multiplied by 1,536.
For example, here's how to convert 5 cords to board feet using the formula above.
How Many Board Feet Are in a Cord?
There are 1,536 board feet in a cord, which is why we use this value in the formula above.
Our cord to board foot calculator automatically converts your lumber volume measurements with full decimal and scientific precision across US customary, imperial, and SI metric standards.
Cords and board feet are both units used to measure lumber volume. Keep reading to learn more about each unit.
What Is a Cord?
A cord is a unit of lumber volume equal to 1,536 board feet (FBM), the base unit for lumber volume. Full stacked cord (4 ft × 4 ft × 8 ft = 128 ft³ = 1,536 board feet). [1]
The cord is classified as a US customary unit of lumber volume. Cords can be abbreviated as cord; for example, 1 cord can be written as 1 cord.
When working with cords (cord) in formulas or technical specifications, always verify whether your target system uses SI metric, US customary, or British imperial standards.
In practice, cords (cord) are widely used across large-scale industrial, bulk, and macro-level lumber volume specifications within US customary workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.
What Is a Board Foot?
North American lumber volume unit equal to 1 ft × 1 ft × 1 in (144 in³ = 1/12 ft³). It serves as a primary reference unit for measuring lumber volume across scientific and practical applications. [2]
The board foot is classified as a US customary unit of lumber volume. Board Feet can be abbreviated as FBM; for example, 1 board foot can be written as 1 FBM.
As the primary coherent reference unit for lumber volume in this category, all other lumber volume units are mathematically anchored to the board foot (FBM).
In practice, board feet (FBM) are widely used across standard lumber volume applications within US customary workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.
When converting lumber volume between cords (cord) and board feet (FBM), keep full floating-point precision (1 cord = 1,536 FBM; 1 FBM = 0.000651042 cord) during intermediate calculations and round only the final board foot figure to match your instrument tolerance.
More Cord & Board Foot Conversions
Need to calculate in the opposite direction? Use our board feet to cords calculator to switch your starting unit immediately. You can also explore related tools such as converting board feet to cords, converting thousand board feet (mbf) to board feet, or converting cubic feet (ft³) to board feet.
Convert from Cords
Convert to Board Feet
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- [1]NIST OWM StandardNIST OWM (SI Units — Length)·Volume - Lumber Metrology Standard — Cords (cord) to Board Feet (FBM)
- [2]BIPM SpecificationBIPM (SI Base Unit: Metre (m))·Unit Specifications: Cord (Firewood / Pulpwood) (cord) & Board Foot (FBM)
- [3]NIST HB 133 ReferenceNIST HB 133 (NIST Handbook 133 (2019 Ed.))·Conversion Factors & Mathematical Basis (cord to FBM)